Midleton AC News Update

Marathon Monday
First off this week let’s focus on next Monday’s Bord Gais Energy Cork City Marathon. It does appear as if our club will again be well represented in the big event. In fact, I’m still attempting to do spot checks as to who is involved in either sector of the event.

After their exploits in Paris Kevin Morrisson and Fergal O’Meara have definitely confirmed they are going to tackle the 26 miler again in Cork. The guys are two of our most dedicated club servants and we wish the popular duo all the best on Monday. Kevin Smith scorched around Limerick in what was just a ’warm up’ for Cork and is sure to produce another big performance on Monday by the banks of the Lee.

Shane Cooney who was unable to take his place in Connemara due to work commitments has extended his training plan and should also produce a big run in Cork. Meantime Mick Murphy is all set for his maiden voyage over the distance and having completed his schedule should also be set up for a positive performance.

Mary B.Walshe has plenty of marathon experience behind her and is another one of our competitors who is well capable of a solid showing, whilst Mary Toher will continue her busy programme by again taking part in the big race.

There is also plenty of involvement in the popular relay section. A group of our newcomers from last year have continued to make huge progress on the road scene and on Monday Helen Geary, Sile Kieran, Marion Cotter, Bernie Twomey and Margaret Twohig will form their own team to tackle the 26.2 mile trip.

Likewise Ann Savage, Ciara Coughlan, Mags Mulcahy, Trish Murphy and Elaine Hennessy are gearing up their team for the big day.

Meantime Sinead Bracken is undertaking 3 legs of the race totalling 15.8 miles, Peter Gunning and his colleagues from Saleen National School are also involved whilst our own Claire O’Leary is running with her team on behalf of the Midleton Educate Together School. Yvonne Kennedy and her work team are also looking forward to the occasion. Claire Fitzgerald, Sandra Bohan and Christine Murphy are amongst out other entrants.

Overall in the absence of the aforementioned starters list and at the risk of offending those who may be omitted, we conclude by saying an overall word of good wishes to all our members who are involved.

Guidelines

To those of you involved the following info’ from Marathon Head Office may be of help.

Registration

Registration is in City Hall on Saturday 5th (10am-6pm) and Sunday 6th (12-6pm). All marathon entrants and at least one member of each team must attend. All are welcome to come and check out the sports shops, suppliers and other races that will be taking part in the Expo.

Course Changes

This year we've made two major changes to the course. We've removed the one stretch of the course that had consistently been criticised - see, we really do listen to you! It was a mile-long dragging hill at about 22 miles on the Model Farm Road, followed by the seemingly endless Carrigrohane Road. It's been replaced by a narrow but mostly flat stretch of walkway at Lough Mahon and part of the old Passage West/Marina railway line. On the Model Farm Road, the course now turns right onto Inichigaggin Lane, joining the Carrigrohane Road.

There are a couple of smaller changes to the course that previous participants who are running again this year should note:
• On the Blackpool Bypass, at the junction of Watercourse Road by Maddens Buildings, there's a short 70m coned loop north before you turn right and back into the city centre.
• On Lower Friars Walk, the course used to take a right hand turn onto Pearse Road before it joined Connolly Road. It now runs straight up Lower Friars Walk onto Connolly.
• The lap around The Lough has been removed, so you now run straight past The Lough onto Hartland's Avenue.
• At the junction of Western Road, you'll now turn left and immediately right again to enter Mardyke Walk, running straight ahead towards Sli Cumman na mBan.
• The final approach to the finish line has been slightly revised. Instead of crossing the river at Christy Ring Bridge, you'll now run straight along the north quays onto Camden Quay, turning onto St Patrick's Bridge and straight onto the wonderful finish on St Patrick's Street.

As in previous years, there's an important time limit on reaching the Jack Lynch Tunnel (c. 7 miles). You must be through the tunnel by 11.30, to allow for a 12 o'clock re-opening of the tunnel.

Race Numbers
As before, the relay numbers will have a blue wash and will be worn front and back. The marathon numbers have a red wash and are only worn on the front.

Timing Chips

The timing chips this year are disposable - you don't have to give them back! We'll have bins at the finish line, if you do want to recycle the chip. Please move away from the finish line to remove your chip.

Water

Thanks to Dunnes Stores, we'll have 250ml bottles of H2O Kidz at all 13 water stations.


Races Galore

There has been a wealth of racing action on the roads over the past few weeks. Participation levels were again huge at Fota and Ballyandreen with a very strong turn out also especially by our club members at the Emer Casey Memorial Race in Youghal.

Our review begins by saying a word of congratulations to Helen Geary and Margaret Twohig two of our new signings last autumn who finished first and second respectively in the Midleton Fitness Centre 5K Charity event recently. Both have shown excellent form already this season and deserve great credit for their displays which scooped the top prizes.

Cheetah Run

The Cheetah Run at Fota Wild Life Park as expected attracted an entry similar to last year. Midleton AC participants were again to the fore with numerous runners enjoying super performances over the 4 mile course.

In fact overall a number of new names made it into the roll of honour. Our ladies in particular shone on the night with the performances of Christine Murphy (1st Over 40) and Trish Murphy (2nd Over 45) particularly laudable. Michele Nolan again enjoyed an excellent outing finishing third lady overall in a time of 25:16. Helen Geary followed her earlier win with an impressive 31:05 which saw finish as third lady over 40, whilst Margaret Rohan was third home in the Over 50 category.

As for the men Stanislaw Byczek collected the third Over 45 prize, Neilus Aherne was second home over 50 and Donie O’Connell had a great outing to come third Over 60.

Youghal 10K

Soaring temperatures were the order of the day as the sun split the stones in Youghal for the Emer Casey Memorial 10K last Sunday week.
Here Noel O’Regan made light of the conditions to finish in 35:23 and secure a super ninth place finish overall. Peter Gunning also continued his return to form with a fine run of 42:37 with Sally Drennan just behind leading our ladies challenge. Joan Hough, Breda Cahill, Marie Murphy, Elaine Hennessy, Claire O’Leary, Mary O’Keeffe, Yvonne Kennedy and Barbara O’Connor were amongst our other strong ladies contingent to brave the scorching conditions and enjoy good outings.

As for the roll of honour there plenty of prizes brought home with our ladies (Marie Murphy, Claire Fitzgerald, Trish Murphy and Margaret Barry) winning the top team prize. Individual honours were won by Breda Cahill, Anne Marie Perry, Danny McCarthy and the aforementioned Breda Cahill, Joan Hough and Sally Drennan.

Ballyandreen ‘5’

So to Ballyandreen last Thursday and as expected the record book dating back over 30 years was torn to shreds as 520 crossed the finish line. The graph from last summer went from this corresponding race showing 411 to 507 for the climax in Ballycotton and a similar trend could happen this time around.

Ballyandreen was looking its best as Ireland’s original Summer Series got on it’s way for 2010.

All credit to the organisers who again ensured the smooth running of the event despite the multitudes present.

The results which were delivered as efficiently as ever showed a 69 strong entry from Midleton AC. Sub 30 minute men Noel O’Regan and Kevin Smith were a class apart with their performances, but a member of Midleton AC Juvenile Club David Murphy (30:51) made a spectacular debut on the 5 mile circuit.

Michelle Nolan and Sally Drennan again led our ladies home with Michelle clocking 31:56 to finish in 6th place overall and Sally (34:49) again proving her superiority as top lady Over 40.
Neilus Aherne continued his great form by winning the Over 50 category again whilst Margaret Rohan and Margaret Barry enhanced their respective results list with a second place finish in their categories.

Brian Nolan (who continues to make great progress), Billy O’Sullivan, John O’Connell, Kieran Murphy, Mary Toher, Caroline Geary, Deirdre Aherne, Yvonne Fitzgerald and the returning Simon Thompson were amongst our other runners to have steady runs over the difficult course. A special word again to the many runners from our club who made their debut in the event, all completed the course in fine fashion and are on their way to collecting a coveted plaque at the end of the famous Series.

Elsewhere Denis Kelleher travelled north to take part in the Newry Half Marathon on Monday last.

Glanmire

Despite damp weather conditions over 300 took part in the Glanmire ‘5’ last evening. It proved a very successful occasion for our club with numerous individual and team honours captured.
Prize winners were Michelle Nolan (2nd overall after another superb run – 31:32), Sally Drennan – 1st Over 40, Joan Hough – 1st Over 50, Margaret Barry – 1st Over 60, Donal Broderick – 2nd Over 40, John Cashman – 2nd Over 45, Edmond O’Sullivan 3rd – Over 45, Neilus Aherne – 2nd Over 50 and John O’Halloran – 3rd Over 55.
Midleton AC runners had also great success in team events with our members on the honours list with Midleton UDC, Flexible Connectors, Department of Education and Midleton News teams. Congrats to all!


Looking Ahead

So to what lies ahead of us over the next few weeks. Following the Grandon’s 5 Mile Race in Glanmire on Monday of this week the action switches away from East Cork to Doneraile on Friday evening with Race 3 in the Ballyhoura Series, co-ordinated by Michael Herlihy who won the Midleton ‘5’ this year and the Cork City Marathon last year.
A number of athletic clubs in the region are supporting a series of traditional style road races and walks. This series is being promoted by Ballyhoura Failte in order to boost Tourism and physical activity in the Ballyhoura region. All of the events are held at scenic locations and it is hoped that this will add to the great friendly social atmosphere which is common at these events. This Friday’s race at Doneraile Park has an 8pm start and is being organised in conjunction with Mallow AC. Two weeks further down the road the Bilboa Ger Mullane Memorial 10K is the next fixture in that series on Friday June 18th.
The next big upcoming fixture after the Marathon on the BHAA diary is the John Buckley Sports 5K on Tuesday June 15th. The fast Marina Road circuit always attracts a huge entry. The race has an 8pm start.
On the following Sunday there is a new addition to the June fixture list. The Dunmanway 10K has a 2pm start on Sunday 20th with entries being taken at the GAA Club from 12noon.
Incredibly as we pass mid summer’s day we are back to the Ballycotton Series later that week with the Shanagarry ‘5’ on Thursday 24th.

- A quick word about events in the West Waterford Series where 3 races are taking place during June.
On Monday next the Touraneena 5K will be held, on Friday June 18th it’s Ras Na Rinne (6 Miles on road/beach) at Ring and then on the following Friday June 25th it’s the Dromana 5 Miler. Enquiries on these events should be made to James Veale on 086-8184762,


- With new races to follow in Macroom, Ballinrostig, Youghal and Carrigtwohill during July the summer of 2010 promises to be busiest ever on the local road running scene.

Track & Field ( Open To All)

The Cork County Athletics Board has announced a series of graded events during the course of the summer months which begin with a fixture at The Mardyke on this Tuesday evening. The details are as follows –
- For athletes aged 17 years and older. Track Events will, if necessary, be divided into separate races based on performance, which could involve mixed races.
It would be appreciated if clubs/athletes would help out on the night.
Entries will be accepted on the night. Clubs are requested to obtain commitment to the events in which they plan to compete and forward the lists to Fergus O’Donovan odknkwd@iol.ie . Entry Forms available on www.corkathletics.orgEntry fee €2 per night, each athlete will receive a performance certificate. Next date is June 25th at CIT Track – 7pm.

Training
A reminder that there will be no training on Bank Holiday Monday, but the usual Tuesday run will take place from the Community Centre at 7pm. The Monday sessions will resume again at the CBS Field on June 14 (6pm).

Tour

Edmond O’Sullivan reports good progress has been made with the November trip to Lanzarote with many of the tour party already making plans for what should be a hectic few days.

Book Launch
At present we are waiting to determine a launch date and venue for the Club History Book . An announcement will be made shortly. In the meantime ‘keep on running’.